Anesthesia-Surgery Veterinary Technician Credentialed

Tufts V.E.T.S. is a multispecialty emergency and critical care VECCS level 1 certified facility in New England. We are an affiliate of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, at Tufts University, providing a unique environment that integrates learning into a busy private practice setting. We are committed to providing the highest standard of patient care from a wide range of specialty services including emergency and critical care, anesthesia, surgery, internal medicine, oncology, radiology and diagnostic imaging, ophthalmology, dermatology, cardiology, and urgent care. We are continually seeking to unite highly skilled professionals in veterinary medicine to provide a collaborative environment that strives to promote and strengthen the human-animal bond.

Tufts V.E.T.S. strives to be a community where diversity and inclusion are a priority.

REPORTS TO: Surgery/Anesthesia Technician Supervisor

POSITION OVERVIEW

At Tufts VETS, the surgery service depends on a highly skilled and collaborative team to provide exceptional care to our patients. The Anesthesia/Surgery Veterinary Technician plays a central role in this effort, offering specialized anesthesia support not only to the surgical department but to all services across the hospital, including internal medicine, emergency/critical care, diagnostic imaging, ophthalmology, and other specialty departments.

In the fast-paced, high-acuity environment of an emergency and specialty hospital, this technician must perform with calmness, confidence, and critical thinking under pressure. Compassion, patience, and excellent communication are essential, especially when supporting complex or unstable patients. Anesthesia/Surgery Technicians are expected to uphold a high level of professionalism and clinical judgment while also navigating challenging interactions with empathy and poise.

Core responsibilities include pre-anesthetic assessments, patient preparation, anesthetic induction and monitoring, and post-anesthetic recovery across a wide range of species and case complexities. Technicians are expected to skillfully operate and troubleshoot monitoring equipment, maintain accurate records, assist with surgical case flow, manage sterile equipment and instruments, and participate in emergency response situations. Collaboration with multiple specialty teams and a strong focus on patient safety are essential to the role.

All Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVTs) within the Anesthesia Department at Tufts VETS participate in a structured development pathway and are categorized by

Technician Levels:

• Level I
  
• Level II
  
• Level III
  
• Level VTS (Veterinary Technician Specialist in Anesthesia and Analgesia)
  

Each technician begins at Level I and progresses by completing designated continuing education (CE) requirements and mastering technical and clinical competencies appropriate for their level. This tiered system is designed to foster professional growth, support mentorship, and recognize expertise within the department.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Anesthesia/Surgery specific duties include but are not limited to:

• Restrain patients in a safe, effective and compassionate manner. Demonstrate how to properly handle difficult and fractious patients.
  
• Keep hospitalized patients clean and comfortable.
  
• Accurately complete anesthesia workup sheet for all ASA categories.
  
• Alert a veterinarian of concerns regarding patients.
  
• Maintain aseptic technique and assist in prevention of nosocomial infections. Wash hands between patients and wear gloves when indicated.
  
• Demonstrate ability to safely sedate animals for procedures or radiographs within all ASA categories.
  
• Comfortable with setup, use, and interpretation of a multiparameter patient monitor including ECG, ETCO2, SpO2, Oscillometric blood pressure, and Doppler equipment.
  
• Comfortable with multiple IV infusions.
  
• Accurately assess vitals including TPR, pulse quality, respiratory effort, mucous membrane color and patient attitude. Inform veterinarian of any abnormal findings.
  
• Monitor and record anesthetized patient parameters including HR, RR, BP, Temperature, SPO2, EtCO2, Total volume of fluids received in all ASA categories.
  
• Notify primary clinician of parameter changes/concerns in patient status.
  
• Administer interventional therapy as advised by the primary clinician (fluid therapy, medication administration etc.).
  
• Pain assessment.
  
• Keep accurate medical records.
  
• Can round cases in an efficient manner.
  
• Collaborates with the anesthesiologist or attending veterinarian on cases.
  
• Partake in surgical nursing or central sterilization tasks as needed.
  
• Assists with all husbandry and stocking tasks within the surgery/anesthesia service.
  
• Peripheral IV and maintenance.
  
• Fluid and CRI administration.
  
• Perform diagnostic imaging, proficient with using non-manual restraint.
  
• Venipuncture proficiency (jugular, cephalic, lateral saphenous and femoral veins).
  
• IV, IM, and SQ injections.
  
• Comfortable with arterial sticks and arterial line placement.
  
• Comfortable with setting up, monitoring, and analyzing IBP.
  
• Calculate and administer medications as directed by treatment orders.
  
• Calculate, dispense and record controlled anesthetic drugs.
  
• Display proficiency at ventilator use, safety and trouble shooting.
  
• Demonstrate knowledge of advanced anatomy and physiology.
  
• Demonstrate knowledge of advanced pharmacology.
  
• Be comfortable with medical equipment and supplies and their locations
  
• Help to maintain medical equipment and supplies as per service policies.
  
• Comfortable with all blood product SOP�s and administration of them.
  
• Appropriately prepare, handle, and submit specimens to outside laboratories.
  
• Operate blood analyzer machines and performing in-house testing.
  
• Accurately record results of lab work in patient medical record/treatment sheets. Notify veterinarian of all in house lab results.
  
• Partake in all aspects of patient admits and discharges.
  
• Ensure that all surgical patients are assigned an anesthetist.
  
• Incorporate another departments� patient needs into schedule.
  
• Participate in all functions of the day.
  
• Promptly notify the Technician Supervisor, Lead, or Chief of Surgery with any maintenance or equipment problems.
  
• Facilitate visits between owner and patient.
  

General Expectations

• Assist in training new team members and veterinary students.
  
• Collaborate effectively with veterinary staff to provide comprehensive patient care.
  
• Participate in continuous education to stay updated with advancements in veterinary anesthesia and surgery practices.
  
• Meet with Supervisor regularly to review any concerns or issues.
  

Maintain an optimistic attitude and follow TVETS policies including the Employee Code of Conduct. Your conduct and interaction with hospital team members and clients is a top priority and is continually evaluated.*

• Adhere to all hospital policies and standards as required by employee manual.
  
• Serve as a representative of the hospital. Display courtesy, tact, consideration, and a positive attitude in all interactions with clients, patients, and hospital team members.
  
• Adhere to your work schedule. Be on the floor ready to work at the start of your shift.
  
• Demonstrate initiative and teamwork in your duties each day.
  
• Demonstrate professionalism and discourage gossip/rumors.
  
• Maintain strict confidentiality.
  
• Follow all hospital safety protocols.
  
• Communicate openly, effectively, and regularly with all management, supervisors, and specialists
  
• Maintain positive rapport between all hospital team members and clients.
  

Personal conduct and interpersonal skills are very important. Interaction with hospital team members and clients is a top priority and is continually evaluated.

Position responsibilities may change on a temporary or regular basis according to the needs of the service or business without it being specifically included in the job description.

SCHEDULE

Shifts TBD. Schedule subject to change at management’s discretion to meet the needs of the service. This position is considered essential and is therefore required to work as scheduled during inclement weather (i.e., during snowstorms). Weekend, holiday, and on-call weekday and weekend anesthesia coverage is required as part of the service’s rotation.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or equivalent
  
• Credentialed Veterinary Technician (CVT/RVT/LVT) - must maintain
  
• Degree in Veterinary Technology and/or Animal Science preferred
  
• Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTA) desirable
  

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 2 years working in the veterinary field as a Credentialed Veterinary Technician
  
• Prior experience working in surgery, anesthesia, emergency and critical care, or specialty medicine preferred
  

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 18 years old.
  
• Genuinely enjoys working with animals and can treat them compassionately even when they are stressed, ill or in pain.
  
• Must support and foster an environment of diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and empathy.
  
• Must have excellent interpersonal relationship and communication skills.
  
• Can multi-task in a fast-paced working environment.
  
• Can stay calm and efficient under pressure.
  
• Is detail oriented and reliable.
  
• Has a high commitment to providing exceptional patient/client care.
  
• Has excellent communication skills.
  
• Must be professional, approachable, and maintain an optimistic outlook.
  
• Proficient at working with digital records, Microsoft Word/Excel, and Google Docs.
  
• Physical Effort: Work requires lifting and carrying animals (will be assisted by other staff members in lifting animals over 40 lbs.). Walks or stands for extended periods or time; frequently works in a bent position.
  
• Working conditions: May be exposed to unpleasant odors, noise, and animal feces. May be exposed to bites, scratches, and contagious diseases.
  

CONTINUING EDUCATION

• Maintain credentialing requirements and CE each year.
  
• Advanced training and credentialing such as becoming a VTS is strongly encouraged.
  
• Complete annual CE and training as assigned including educational reading.